Nobody Sponsored Me To Become Rivers Governor — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that his emergence as governor of Rivers State in 2015 was not sponsorsed by anyone, but a reflection of his personal political strength and support from the people.

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Wike stated this during his monthly media parley in Abuja on Friday, where he spoke on what it takes to win an election and why governorship ambition must go beyond political noise or external backing.

According to him, his political rise was not engineered by any godfather, stressing that he won office despite not having the support of the ongoing governor at the time.

“I have told people I never became governor because anybody sponsor me to become governor,” Wike said.

Recalling the circumstances surrounding the 2015 governorship election in Rivers State, the former governor noted that his predecessor, Ritimi Amaechi, had already pitched camp with the opposition and backed another candidate, yet he still secured victory.

“In 2015 when I became a governor you will realise that the governor, my predecessor, was in APC and he put up his own candidate and you see that I won that election squarely,” he said.

Wike said his experience should serve as a reminder that a politician does not necessarily need the support of an incumbent governor to win an election.

“The fact that you did not have a governor does not mean that you cannot become a governor,” he added.

He said he was offering the background to make the point that anyone planning to contest an election must first engage in honest self-examination and determine whether they are truly ready for the rigours of the political process.

“I’m just giving you that background today to tell you know that if I want to run election today, what it takes is to ask myself, Look are you sure you want to run election,” Wike said.

He noted that the decision to run for office should not be taken lightly, as it comes with enormous political and personal demands.

“Or you just want your name to be held as a former candidate. There are so many things you should take into consideration,” he said.

Wike stressed that elections are not won by loud declarations or empty bravado, but by preparation, resilience and visible seriousness of purpose.

“Are you psychologically prepared for what is about to happen because an election is not by shouting or by mouth?” he asked.

He also warned against using electoral ambition as a mere strategy for self-promotion or political bargaining.

“Or you just want to use it as a marketing fact, let me see what I can have at the end of the day,” he said.

According to the minister, a genuine aspirant is usually easy to identify because the signs of seriousness are visible to the public and political stakeholders alike.

“If indeed you want to run for an election, people will see very clearly that this candidate is serious,” Wike said.

He added that such seriousness must also be backed by a verifiable record of performance and accomplishments.

“This candidate has done works that are considerable,” Wike stated.